It was really nice to read the cover story on Chayanaut. Chayanaut has been an integral part of our culture and identity, and it is commendable that the esteemed institution has not lost steam even after fifty years. It continues to provide generations after generations of aspiring artists and performers a platform to pursue their passion. In my family alone, there are five generations of Chayanaout alums – my grandmother, my mother and uncle, my sister and my nephew. As a result, we have always felt like we belonged to the Chayanaut family; the visits to Ramna batomul or for the spring/monsoon festivals have now become family traditions. In turn, the Chayanaut members have embraced us with love, warmth and familiarity. We hope that future generations continue to maintain the integrity and spirit with which the organisation began in 1961.

Chaya Chakrabarty Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Use Protection!

Being unsafe, it seems, is stylish these days! For some reason, the passengers of this country are really reluctant to take the most basic of safety measures. It's not only in the case of motorcycles that we see people refusing to follow the rules. Most people in this country are allergic to the idea of putting on seatbelts, even when they sit in the front seat at 90 km/hour on a highway. Why is it that we are so stubborn about protecting our macho-ness (I am too cool to wear seatbelts/helmets), rather than our lives? Now there are laws that make such safety regulations mandatory for passengers, but we all know how efficient our law enforcers are at implanting the measures. Please, fellow passenger, remember that safety isn't something you should gamble with!

Mamun Rahman Banani, Dhaka

Make Over Please!

I am a regular reader of the Star and I have to admit that lately I have been quite apalled by the quality of printing of the magazine. First of all, the paper itself has become dirtier than before. Secondly, the photographs look dark and dull. There are many interesting stories in the magazine and worth reading. The pictures, too, look as if taken with care. But everything looks so unattractive because of your awful paper and substandard printing. I might add that a few weeks ago we were getting magazine where even the stapling was not done properly. I really do think the magazine needs a big overhaul in its looks, no matter how good the content is.

ShumiMalibagh

A one-sided love story

India's unilateral decision to build a dam on the Barak river, ignoring Bangladesh's plights, is another example of what happens if a small neighbour doesn't not come up with a vigorous foreign policy. Even at times when environmentalists fear that the proposed dam is going to spell disaster to Sylhet and adjoining areas, our foreign secretary (FS) has rather promptly said that the issue concerns only the two countries and any third party should not be involved into the matter. His stance is ironic for this should be the opinion of his Indian counterpart, not that of the FS whose country is at the receiving end of this ghastly act.

There are reasons to believe that Bangladesh's all attempts to establish a good relationship with its big neighbour is a one-sided love story. We have almost given India transit facility, without taking mass public opinion into consideration. Bangladesh has dismantled all the secret hide-outs of anti-Indian insurgent groups, the country has also pushed-back the rebel leaders into India, and a semblance of peace has been established in North-east India, thanks to Bangladesh's relentless efforts to keep its border with India clean.

But what has Bangladesh got in return? Nothing, besides the duty free access to the Indian market of some Bangladeshi products. The Teesta water-sharing treaty has been stalled because the Chief Minister of an Indian state has played truant. Now has come what can be called another nail in the coffin of the two country's relationship--the Tipaimukh dam. And all Bangladesh government has asked from India is information, and while even Indians in the northeast claims otherwise, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, without any formal assurance from her Indian counterpart, has said that she is sure India will not do anything that might harm Bangladesh.

How long will this one-sided love affair go on? How long will we remain a victim of our big neighbour's unjust policy, while our government claims normalcy?

Muhammad bin-Adam Dhanmandi

Photo: Star File

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